New school flavour

While some of her fellow students are complaining about new healthy food guidelines in Ontario school cafeterias, Stephanie Philp said the menus aren’t much different than what they used to be.

On Sept. 1, the School Food and Beverage Policy came into effect in the province. Schools now have to meet certain guidelines with the food they serve in cafeterias and vending machines. Foods high in sugar, fat and sodium are noticeably absent.

“A lot of the menu items are exactly the same,” said Philp, the student council president at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. “Maybe it’s an all-beef hot dog now. You really won’t be able to tell the difference. If it’s just as good and better for you, why not eat it?”

Students are still able to bring whatever foods they want in their lunches and there are fast food options near almost every local high school. However, there is a long lineup in the cafeteria every day, Philp said.

“A lot of people doubt it because they haven’t tried it,” she said. “They just assume it’s going to be disgusting like tofu. I think if the students give it a try, they’ll find it’s not that different at all.”

Grade 11 student Dallas Nygard said he tried a slice of pizza from the cafeteria last week and thought it was better than pizza he’s there before.

“Being healthy, that’s just a bonus I guess,” he said. “I like how a lot of it is the same but they are also adding new things and it gives them the opportunity to get creative with things so that more people will eat.”

Lara Robinson said at St. Patrick High School most students don’t even notice the changes in the cafeteria.

“It’s not really affecting how many students you get,” said the Grade 11 student. “The pizza has whole wheat crust, but no one notices. Nothing is deep-fried anymore. It’s not bad changes.”

St. Pat’s vice-principal Michael Filipetti said the new policy isn’t just helping the students eat better, but is also part of promoting an overall healthy, active lifestyle.

“We hope to see a difference from a curriculum point of view and people being able to function better when they are eating healthier,” he said. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to the children that are attending here that we are providing things that are going to be good for them and not things that are going to harm them. “

It’s all about the healthy lifestyle, echoed Lakehead District School Board’s education officer Charles Bishop.

“Kids spend a lot of time at school. Kids eat a lot of food at school,” he said. “I think as an education institution…we need to set the standard and say these are examples of healthy eating.”